§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the proposed building of two separate fire service headquarters in the city of Chester, one for the county and one for the city, is in the interests of economy and efficiency in the service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe provision of fire brigade premises is primarily a matter for the fire authorities concerned. The existing administrative headquarters of the Cheshire Fire Brigade are being adapted to improve conditions and provide more office space. The existing fire station and headquarters of the Chester Fire Brigade are unsuitable for present day needs and are to be replaced. Regardless of the pattern of organisation of the fire service now or in the future, there is a need for a new operational fire station in Chester.
308W
§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amalgamate fire services in those areas in which a multiplicity of services is causing unnecessary and wasteful duplication.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Departmental Committee on the Fire Service is considering among other matters, the principles which should govern the organisation of the fire service in Great Britain and will make its views known to the Royal Commission on Local Government. I propose to await the outcome of this review.